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Science News for April 22, 2021


Sculpting radiation beam spares lung cancer patients from severe, disabling complication

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital develop a new radiation technique that carefully targets tumors while sparing surrounding tissues, reducing inflammation and preserving swallowing function. The study shows promising results in patients with localized lung cancer, with none developing severe esophagitis despite high-dose ra...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateApr 22, 2021

Ankle exoskeleton enables faster walking

Researchers developed an ankle exoskeleton that significantly increased self-selected walking speed in young adults, with a 42% average increase. The device has potential for improving daily life and may also reduce pain caused by weight on joints or improve balance in older adults.

SourceStanford University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering·DateApr 22, 2021

Fossils of "giant cloud rats" discovered in Philippine caves

Scientists have discovered fossils of three new species of giant cloud rats in Philippine caves, dating back tens of thousands of years. The rodents filled an ecological role similar to that of squirrels in the US and were resilient for at least 60,000 years, but two of the species disappeared around 2,000 years ago.

SourceField Museum·JournalJournal of Mammalogy·DateApr 22, 2021

New therapy target for malignant melanomas in dogs

Scientists have discovered a potential new therapy target for canine cancer, specifically oral malignant melanoma in dogs. The treatment targets the PD-L1 molecule, which has shown promise in human cancer treatments, and significantly increased survival time for dogs with pulmonary metastatic OMM.

SourceHokkaido University·Journalnpj Precision Oncology·DateApr 22, 2021

China requires switch to zero-carbon energy to achieve more ambitious Paris Agreement goal, models S

A new analysis suggests China needs to reduce carbon emissions by over 90% and energy consumption by almost 40% to achieve the 1.5°C target, with industry being the main emission contributor. The study also highlights the need for more research on economic consequences of working towards this goal.

Emergency EMR created in a week to respond to COVID-19 crisis

A team from Regenstrief Institute created an emergency EMR for Indianapolis first responders in just one week using OpenMRS, a global open-source electronic medical record system. The system allowed for quick registration of patients, collection of basic clinical information, and transmission to the Indiana health information exchange.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalInternational Journal of Medical Informatics·DateApr 22, 2021

Photoexpansion: Bio-based polyesters hard film

Researchers at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology discover a phenomenon called photoexpansion in hard plastic films, which exhibits convex deformation under UV light due to cis isomerization. The study reveals the unique deformation mechanism of bio-based polycinnamate films, offering potential for precise control of ph...

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 22, 2021

Scientists propose new formation mechanism for solar coronal rain

Scientists have discovered a new type of coronal rain forming along open magnetic structures on the Sun, which is facilitated by interchange magnetic reconnection between open and closed magnetic structures. This mechanism triggers thermal instability, leading to cooling and condensation of hot coronal plasma, resulting in coronal rain.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateApr 22, 2021

Little crop of horrors

Researchers are investigating how carnivorous plant genes can help crops defend themselves from pathogens and insects, reducing reliance on pesticides and fertilizers. The team plans to test transgenic crop plants with protein-based pest deterrents and nutrient-enhancing traits.

60-year scientific mystery solved

Researchers have identified a critical role for DNA replication timing in controlling the packing of DNA with its regulatory factors, known as the epigenome. The study found that disrupting this program can lead to inappropriate cellular functions and negative health outcomes.

SourceSan Diego Biomed·JournalScience·DateApr 22, 2021

IU researchers tackled the challenges of conducting intrastate policy surveillance

A study by Indiana University researchers found that access to local health-related laws in Indiana counties is limited due to outdated or non-existent online databases. The study aimed to build a comprehensive database of local laws, highlighting the importance of standardized online systems for policy surveillance and transparency.

SourceIndiana University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateApr 22, 2021

Researchers design micro-sized capsules for targeted drug delivery -- inspired by Russian pelmeni

A team of researchers has developed a method to create biodegradable polymer microcapsules with non-spherical shapes, which can enhance targeted drug delivery. The capsules are designed using soft lithography and have shown promising results in retaining hydrophilic molecules and being internalized by cells without causing toxic effects.

Story Tip from Johns Hopkins experts on COVID-19

A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 may provide protection against the latest variant strains and even the common cold. The vaccine-induced T cell response was found to be effective in recognizing the spike proteins of both SARS-CoV-2 and three common cold coronaviruses.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 22, 2021

What Parkinson's disease patients reveal about how art is experienced and valued

Researchers found that Parkinson's disease patients demonstrate stable preferences for abstract art but diminished perception of movement in paintings. The study suggests that the brain's motor system interprets non-representational visual cues as abstract representations of movement, influencing aesthetic experiences.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Comparative Neurology·DateApr 22, 2021

Burns victims struggling to pay

A new study found that Aboriginal families with children suffering severe burns often struggle to pay healthcare costs and travel expenses, exacerbating existing economic hardship. The research also highlighted the importance of family networks in mitigating financial burdens, but called for improved access to government initiatives ai...

SourceFlinders University·JournalAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health·DateApr 22, 2021

Using exoplanets as dark matter detectors

Researchers propose using exoplanet temperatures as a new method for detecting dark matter. By analyzing the effect of dark matter on exoplanet temperatures, scientists hope to gain insights into this mysterious substance. The study suggests that exoplanets could be used to detect both light and dark matter.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 22, 2021

Trial tests intervention to reduce sedentary time in patients with kidney disease

A pilot trial found that the 'Sit Less, Interact, Move More' intervention decreased sedentary time, increased stepping time, and boosted step counts in patients with moderate-to-advanced CKD. However, these benefits were not sustained over 20 weeks. The study suggests that additional interventions may be needed to sustain long-term eff...

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateApr 22, 2021

Climate has shifted the axis of the Earth

Research suggests that global warming caused a shift in the Earth's axis due to glacial melting and changes in land water storage. The study analyzed data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission, finding that water loss on land contributed significantly to the eastward change in polar drift.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 22, 2021

How we know whether and when to pay attention

Researchers identified two distinct types of uncertainty affecting human anticipatory behavior: whether an event will occur and when it will happen. The brain dynamically adjusts its readiness to respond based on separate probability estimates of these two uncertainties, allowing for more accurate predictions in real-time.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 22, 2021

SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk in NBA during 2020 season

Despite having clinically recovered from COVID-19, NBA players, staff, and vendors experienced persistent viral loads, indicating a high transmission risk. The study found that these individuals were more likely to transmit the virus to others, highlighting the need for continued precautions.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 22, 2021

Unlocking Australia's biodiversity, one dataset at a time

The Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) is a national biodiversity database that provides reliable data for scientists, policy-makers, and environmental planners. It contains nearly 95 million occurrence records of over 111,000 species, showcasing its potential to support the development of science and decision-making.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalBiodiversity Data Journal·DateApr 22, 2021

Plant provenance influences pollinators

Researchers at the University of Münster studied the impact of plant seed provenance on pollinator diversity and frequency. They found that plants from different regions influenced pollinators' visits to flowers, with some regions offering more frequent interactions.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateApr 22, 2021

Hunger cues

Researchers at Harvard Medical School identified a signaling molecule called neuropeptide-Y (NPY) as the key driver of hunger-dependent odor attraction. Mice with NPY deficiency showed reduced preference for food odors, highlighting the crucial role of NPY in enhancing food attraction when hungry.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateApr 22, 2021

Uniquely sharp X-ray view

For the first time, scientists have successfully used transient grating spectroscopy with ultrafast X-rays to explore material properties at the atomic level. This method allows for the observation of individual atoms and selective measurement of specific chemical elements in a mixture of substances.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 22, 2021

XYZeq: A better map of cell diversity

A new method called XYZeq allows researchers to map variation across cells in a tissue or tumor, gaining insight into their spatial location and function. The technique enables the analysis of cellular patterns in complex environments like cancerous tumors and other organs.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 22, 2021

Romantic relationships mitigate effects of trauma on alcohol use among college students

A study by Virginia Commonwealth University researchers found that romantic relationships can help alleviate the negative impact of trauma on drinking behavior among college students. The study, which involved nearly 9,000 participants, discovered that students who experienced interpersonal trauma during college consumed more alcohol t...

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalAddiction·DateApr 22, 2021

How is a molecular machine assembled?

Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum and collaborators isolated a PS II transition complex with three helper proteins using cryo-electron microscopy. The study reveals a novel protective mechanism that prevents the formation of aggressive oxygen species during assembly, allowing for a more efficient and stable machine.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Plants·DateApr 22, 2021

Researchers trace spinal neuron family tree

Salk researchers have traced the development of spinal cord neurons using genetic signatures, revealing new ways of classifying and tagging subsets of cells. The findings offer a precise way to study the function of spinal cord neurons and their role in regulating body movements.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateApr 22, 2021

Recreating the earliest stages of life

Researchers successfully generate synthetic mouse embryos containing the three fundamental cell types normally found in pre-implantation embryos. The study provides strong evidence that the system is a good model for studying early embryo development, shedding light on the mechanisms of totipotency and the causes of early pregnancy loss.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateApr 22, 2021

Improving survival in pancreatic cancer

Nagoya University researchers discovered a molecular pathway that enhances chemotherapy resistance in some pancreatic cancer patients. Targeting the taurine upregulating gene 1 (TUG1) RNA could improve patient response to therapy and increase overall survival.

SourceNagoya University·JournalCancer Research·DateApr 22, 2021

Black, Hispanic, impoverished people have worse survival rates among teens, adults under 40 with cancer, UTSW review shows

A UT Southwestern Medical Center review of Texas Cancer Registry data found that Black and Hispanic patients under 40 with cancer have lower survival rates compared to their white counterparts. The study also showed that poverty and lack of insurance coverage exacerbate these disparities.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateApr 22, 2021

Silver ions hurry up, then wait as they disperse

Researchers at Rice University reveal a two-step process by which silver ions are released from nanoparticles, with the possibility of stabilizing the alloy through gold manipulation. The discovery could lead to the development of new catalysts and materials for various applications.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 22, 2021